Tanzania's electoral commission announced Saturday that President Samia Suluhu Hassan won re-election with nearly 98 percent of the vote, securing a five-year term to lead the East African nation of 68 million people. Hassan assumed office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor.
Violent protests erupted during Wednesday’s voting after the electoral commission barred Hassan’s two main opponents from running. Witnesses reported demonstrators tearing down her campaign banners, setting fire to government buildings, and clashing with police, who responded with tear gas and gunfire.
The main opposition party claimed hundreds were killed in the unrest, while the United Nations human rights office cited credible reports of at least 10 deaths across three cities. The government called the opposition’s figures “hugely exaggerated” and denied allegations of human rights abuses.
Violent protests erupted during Wednesday’s voting after the electoral commission barred Hassan’s two main opponents from running. Witnesses reported demonstrators tearing down her campaign banners, setting fire to government buildings, and clashing with police, who responded with tear gas and gunfire.
The main opposition party claimed hundreds were killed in the unrest, while the United Nations human rights office cited credible reports of at least 10 deaths across three cities. The government called the opposition’s figures “hugely exaggerated” and denied allegations of human rights abuses.
